When You're In Love
Written by Edward Jerlin
© 1988 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
"Bells For Glory"
Written by Rev. James Martin & Edward Jerlin
© 2007 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
Before we begin, I (EJ) want to apologize for the "hot pink" font color.
I just couldn't resist going for the Groundhog, er, Valentine's motif for February. :-)
For our February offering, we're going with a retro-track & a brand new one...
First, the retro-track: "When You're In Love" which dates from 1988.
I chose this one because it remains, nearly 20 years later, unashamedly my personal favorite of all the music I've written & recorded over the years: Six & a half minutes of non-stop intensity, a really catchy melody, a hopping middle section, interweaving themes, an extended written-out synth solo/jam, leading to the bass break at 5:06, followed by the diabolical chords flying by, culminating in the craziness at 5:25 before it winds down & returns to semi-normal-almost-anti-climactic but very happy wrap up. I also chose it because the title fits with the February Valentine motif. :-)
The "Kansas/Kerry Livgren" influence was definitely being felt, & I fancied writing something along the lines of Kansas' "No One Together" from their "Audio Visions" album.
At the time, it was a "landmark recording" of sorts for me, what with the use of the technology I could afford (having just graduated college two years prior) & existed at the time: the various synthesizer sounds, the sequencer, the drum machine, playing the lead parts in the middle section live, all mixed straight to cassette without any multi-track tape. No CDs. No digital. The tape has been restored as well as can be expected.
I tried to write lyrics to this back then, but I remain positively stuck after line 2 to this day:
When you're in love, you don't see the traffic signs.
When you're in love, you leave the rest of the world behind...
If anyone wants to take a stab at completing the rest of the lyrics, be my guest. :-)
I have plans to re-record this someday, though I'm not sure if I'll get to it this year.
If I were doing it today I would change/update:
- The drum machine would go & be replaced by real drums, because I can now
- The synth bass would be replaced by a real one, because I can now
- I'd add some chunking rhythm guitar with some occasional wayward leads thrown in
- The borderline-cheesy lead synth sound during the verses would change to either a
lead guitar, a sax, or a better sound
- The clean sampled organ would be replaced by the B3 Hammond & it would "growl" a little more
- I'd try to come up with a better ending, though I've grown so used to this one that it may end up getting a stay of execution.
Enjoy!
"Bells For Glory", slated to be on our next CD "On Broken Wings", is a brand new recording done this month.
The lyrics, inspired by Psalm 121, were written by Jim, & it was set to music by me. I think it was originally written around 1998-1999 or so. Jim wrote this for the Bell Choir at his former church. There were plans at some point to perform this with the Bell Choir, but that never came to pass.
My wife Kirsten (who is the choir director at our church) chose this one out of a bunch of candidates to have the choir sing at our Spring Concert. Kerioke tracks & a printed choir arrangement with piano & chords accompaniment are available upon request. (Last month's offering "New Song Suite" is also available.)
I played the instruments & sang the lead vocals; Kirsten & I sang the backing vocals. The final album version may end up having Jim or Kirsten on lead vocals, depending on who sounds best on it.
Enjoy!
Thank you, God bless, & a Merry Groundhog Day to you & yours,
Groundhog Phil
To download the music, RIGHT CLICK:
"When You're In Love" MUSIC 6:39
and choose "Save Target As".
"Bells For Glory" MUSIC 4:52
and choose "Save Target As".
To download the lyrics, RIGHT CLICK:
"Bells For Glory" LYRICS
and choose "Save Target As".
